The Ignace Bourget Diocesan Award of Merit honours individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to the Church and society. The 2025 winners were celebrated for their exemplary dedication to service, community involvement, and humanitarian efforts. Here are the deserving recipients: 

1. Volunteers of Notre-Dame-de-la-Trinité Parish for Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs Church
   These volunteers have ensured a visible and welcoming Church presence in the Verdun community for over 15 years. Located at the heart of Verdun’s dynamic Wellington Street, their efforts include frequent opening of the church building, providing warm hospitality to visitors, and fostering meaningful conversations. Their work integrates the Church into the broader social and cultural fabric of the neighbourhood, making it a vibrant part of the local community life. 
2. Carole Marcouillier
   A lifelong parishioner of St-Edward, Mrs. Marcouillier has been an active force in pastoral work for many decades. From helping prepare baptisms and first communions to initiating services such as the "guignolée" and organizing community events, she has consistently shown a deep commitment to her parish. Mrs. Marcouillier’s efforts have also extended to supporting the vulnerable in her community by running a much-needed affordable tax clinic. Her dedication has significantly impacted the lives of many, offering a warm environment of hospitality, fellowship, and service. 
3. Yvon Sabourin (Posthumous Award received by Monique Laveau)
   Mr. Sabourin who passed away January 9 , 2025 was a dedicated teacher for 35 years before embarking on an active retirement that saw him focus on humanitarian efforts in Bolivia. His work with the Salesians of Don Bosco led him to establish "Enfants de Bolivie," an organization dedicated to helping abandoned children. His work garnered the support of many retired teachers and parishes across Montreal, building a network of solidarity that has helped sustain this mission for years. He was recognized for his evangelical commitment to the poorest and most vulnerable. 
4. Robert Le Bouthillier
   A Scout leader and dedicated parish volunteer, Mr. Le Bouthillier has made lasting contributions to the St-Donat community and the wider Church. He helped organize key events, including welcoming foreign pilgrims during the World Youth Day in Canada in 2002. In his professional life, he focused on leadership training, and he has been instrumental in developing the training for the Montreal diocese’s complaint handling system. His work has directly impacted nearly 2,000 volunteers and pastoral workers in the region, helping them address the needs of those affected by abuse. 
5. Sister Henriette Lépine
   Sister Henriette Lépine’s life of service has spanned teaching, administration, and community outreach. A member of the Congrégation des Sœurs des Saints-Cœurs de Jésus et Marie since 1955, she dedicated 15 years as an educator and 26 years as a school principal. Sister Henriette has been deeply involved in children’s catechesis, community fundraising, and aiding the poor. Her work, which includes organizing bazaars to pay off parish debts and providing resources for the needy, has made a lasting impact on the communities she has served. Her efforts have also earned her recognition at municipal, provincial, and federal levels. 

These outstanding individuals and groups exemplify the spirit of service and dedication that the Mérites Diocésains seeks to recognize, and their contributions continue to inspire those within the Archdiocese of Montreal and beyond. 

View the photo gallery